Method of making fastener sockets



Feb. 20, 1934. G JQHNSON 1,948,300

METHOD OF MAKING FASTENER SOCKETS Filed April 21. 1932 I. II-IIIIIZ l 71111111111) fl- IIIIIIIIIII Patented Feb. 20, 1934 PATENT oFFics METHOD OF MAKING FASTENER SOCKETS Gustav Johnson, West Roxbury, Mass, assignor to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 21, 1932.

5 Claims.

My invention aims to provide improvements in separable fastener sockets and relates particular- 1y to the method of forming the same.

In the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention:-

Figure 1 is a plan and section showing the first step in forming my preferred socket;

Fig. 2 shows the second step of depressing the metal and forming a triangular-shaped aperture in the bottom of the depression;

Fig. 3 shows the blank after completion of the step of enlarging the triangular aperture to a circular aperture; and

Fig. 4 shows a plan and section of a completed socket for use on straps and the like.

Referring to the specific form of device illustrated by the drawing, I have shown one type of fastener socket to which my invention is particularly applicable and one method of carrying out my invention. It is to be understood that other fasteners may embody my invention and that the exact sequence of operations may be varied. The important feature is that of forming a one-piece spring-retaining casing of limited dimensions wherein it is impossible to form the desired size stud-receiving aperture in a single operation without weakening the fastener.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a small slide fastener for straps which is so proportioned that the studreceiving aperture must be formed in more than one operation. That fastener and my invention as applied thereto I shall now proceed to describe.

The socket, as illustrated in Fig. 4, is pressed from a single piece of metal and carries a studengaging spring 1. The socket casing 2 has strapreceiving slots 33 at opposite ends. Between these slots there is provided a depressed portion 4 having an aperture 5 and at the edge of the depression are ears 6 which extend over the spring 1 to hold it in place. An observation of the plan view of Fig. 4 will disclose the fact that the ears 6 must be formed from the material of the depressed portion 4. This being the case, it will be observed that the ears are of substantial length and when out from the blank leave apertures 7 (Fig. 2) which extend into the bottom of the depression 4. Therefore, it would be impossible to punch the desired size stud-receiving aperture 5 from the bottom of the depression without intersecting the slots 7. This, of course, would result in a very imperfect fastener socket. To overcome the difficulty I have found that the aperture 5 first may be made smaller than desired and thereafter enlarged.

Serial No. 606,641

The method illustrated comprises first pressing the ears 6 from the blank, as illustrated in Figure 1. Then, the material of the blank between the ears is depressed into the cup-shaped depression 4, as shown in Fig. 2. The aperture 5 may be formed at the same time as the depression 4 or afterwards. Thereafter a suitable tool is forced through the aperture 5 and the material of the bottom of the depression is moved laterally, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus the triangular-shaped aperture is enlarged and formed into a circular aperture of the desired size. The spring 1 may be inserted and the ears 6 bent downwardly to hold the spring in position in the depression for intersecting the aperture 5.

It will be noted that the device illustrated has three triangularly arranged ears 6 and a triangular aperture 5 when first formed. This arrangement provides for substantial material between the aperture 5 and the apertures '7 (Fig. 2) thereby forming a ledge which remains after enlargement of the aperture, as shown in Fig. 8. Other cooperating arrangements of ears 6 and aperture 5 may be effected without departing from the scope or" my invention.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereby, because the scope of my invention is best defined by the following claims.

1. The method of making a spring-retaining socket member having a stud-receiving aperture and means for holding a stud-engaging spring which comprises forming a stud-receiving aperture in the socket member, also forming a series of apertures around said stud-receiving aperture by pressing out the spring-holding means from the socket member and then moving the material laterally in the plane thereof between the studreceiving aperture and the series of apertures to increase the size of the stud-receiving aperture.

2. The method of making a spring-retaining socket member having a stud-receiving aperture and means for holding a stud-engaging spring which comprises cutting out the material of the socket member to form a series of ears, forming an aperture of smaller cross-sectional area than desired in that part of the member located inside of the ears and then enlarging said aperture by moving the material laterally in the plane thereof between said aperture and said ears.

3. The method of making a spring-retaining socket casing having a stud-receiving aperture and means for holding a stud-engaging spring which comprises cutting out the material of the casing to form a series of triangularly arranged ears and a triangular-shaped aperture inside of said ears and thereafter forming the'triangularshaped aperture into a circular stud-receiving aperture by lateral movement of the material in the plane thereof between the ears and said aperture.

4. The method of making a spring-retaining socket casing having a stud-receiving aperture and meanslfor holding a stud-engaging spring which comprises forming a depression in the easing, a series of spring-retaining prongs from the material in the depression, and an aperture in the bottom of the depression and then moving the material laterally in the plane thereof adjacent to the aperture to enlarge the said aperture to the proper size. 7

5. The method of making a spring-retaining socket casing having a stud-receiving aperture and means for holding a stud-engaging spring GUSTAV JOHNSON. 

